Residents Express “Relief” Upon Returning Home Following Explosion Evacuation

Residents residing close to the location of a deadly gas explosion expressed their “relief” at being able to go back to their residences prior to Christmas, having been displaced since October. The explosion, which resulted in two fatalities at Cleat Hill in Bedford and was connected to a natural gas leak, led to the evacuation of the entire area. Erica Fletcher commented, “It’s been a weird eight weeks.” She added, “When I heard we could go home, I didn’t quite believe it.” The majority of residents received notification this week that the cordon would be removed, with the exception of the demolished property, following the installation of gas monitoring devices. The explosion and the ensuing fire claimed the lives of Paul Swales, aged 85, and his sister-in-law, Julia Harris, aged 84. This incident took place near a site where an underground gas leak had been detected in July, which followed the drilling of a borehole for the installation of a ground source heat pump. Ms Fletcher described her experience as “it’s almost been like a dream” while residing in a Travelodge, with expenses covered by Bedford Borough Council, which also supplied food vouchers. She stated that despite her rational understanding that “my head says we should be safe” to return, she remained “a little bit” uncertain emotionally. “I know the pocket of gas was sealed tight, I know they filled the borehole, and the readings show the gas levels are negligible,” she affirmed. She further remarked, “I’ve only just got home and the litmus test will be how I feel tonight going to bed.” Ruth Matthews returned to her residence on Monday, expressing that it “feels fantastic.” She commented, “Everybody wants to be home for Christmas, that was number one on the wish list. If it hadn’t been safe, we’d have reconciled ourselves to that.” She continued, “We didn’t really have any anxiety at all about coming back. You get to the point where you’re so keen to be home again, that far outweighs any anxiety you might or might not have.” Reflecting on eight weeks away, she stated, “You suddenly notice the cobwebs, so I’ve gone to war with them. It’s great being back in your own bed and having your own routine.” In addition to commending the council, Ms Matthews highlighted that the nearby St Marks Church had been “absolutely outstanding.” The church offered a warm gathering place for residents daily and extended practical assistance. “They have even had some people doing washing. I can’t fault them,” she remarked. Ruth Pressley described the preceding weeks as “very strange indeed – almost like Covid times.” She expressed being “overjoyed” to have returned home and was “trying to get back to normality.” She noted, “People are saying it feels a bit eerie, coming back when we’ve been out for seven weeks.” “Some of us did move in last weekend, because we felt safe enough to do that, as the gas monitors had been inserted,” she explained. She added, “I fortunately have family locally, so my son was prepared to accommodate me and my cat over the last seven weeks, but there’s a sense of relief that we can come home.”